Some listen only to criticize, to find fault, and to pick apart — as in, “How I can use your words to make myself look smarter, better, and more insightful than you?” This explains the old saying: Any fool can criticize, and most fools do.

The wise, however, listen with a different intent, netting a different result. They listen to hear, to understand, and to learn.

Where others may only find fault, the wise have the capacity to pick out the empowering truth and put it to work in their daily lives.